Bursting with the festive zest of fresh cranberries and oranges, these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies are a holiday treasure. Unlike others, they boast crunchy bits of tart berries paired beautifully with sweet citrus flavor. Simple and delightful, these festive handmade cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday table, ensuring every bite is as fresh and joyous as the season itself.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
- Fresh Cranberries (Preferably not frozen due to moisture)
- Fresh Orange Zest (Tangerine zest can be a distinctive alternative)
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- All-Purpose Flour
- Vanilla Extract (Almond extract is a possible substitute)
Step-by-step Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Chop Cranberries: Finely chop the cranberries, preferably using a small food processor to achieve a mix of textures.
- Mix Ingredients: Ensure your butter is at room temperature to easily incorporate with the flour. Mix in the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, the chosen extract, and the zests of your citrus to form your dough. Key to shortbread is ensuring no dry bits remain; the dough should be uniform with the butter fully integrated.
- Forming the Dough: Combine the dough into a cohesive form, ready for shaping. If using a processor, this can be the final phase of mixing. If by hand, ensure a lightly floured surface to bring everything together without sticking.
Shaping and Baking
- Shape the Cookies: Traditionally, shortbread cookies can be formed into a log and chilled before slicing into discs for baking. This allows the cookies to firm up and slice cleanly.
- Baking: Bake in a preheated oven until they just begin to turn golden around the edges. The texture can vary based on thickness; thinner cookies will be crispier, while thicker ones, softer.
Freezing Instructions
- Before Baking: Wrap the log of dough thoroughly (plastic wrap, then foil, and finally a zip-lock bag) and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.
- Baked Cookies: Allow to cool completely, then store in layers separated by parchment in a freezer container.
Additional Tips
- Room temperature butter is crucial for a successful dough.
- Chop the cranberries to your preference but keep some texture.
- Adjust bake time based on desired final texture—softer or crisper.
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